The concept of making offerings to spirit allies, whether they are gods or from among the fairies, is as old as the humankind itself. However, for some, making offerings to spirit entities seems out of place, awkward, pointless, and even foolish. Is this really so? Does the modern person truly hold the monopoly on truth in deciding, based solely on “logical” understanding, that the practice of making offerings has run its historical course? If the answer is yes, the discussion might stop here. But what if the answer is no?
First, what exactly offerings are?
Part of the answer, grizzly as it is, comes from numerous archaeologic excavations conducted at prehistoric ceremonial sites around the world. Analysis and interpretation of these findings shed at least some light over the practice of sacrifices, both human and animal.
Our earliest ancestors understood that the fate of human communities was, to its largest extent, at the mercy of forces controlling the environment. Land fertility or infertility, clement or inclement weather, presence or absence of game and that bit of hunters’ luck, meant either life or death. Aside from skill and astuteness, humans needed the assistance of those powers from outside their direct control to ensure survival. Extreme situations called for extreme forms of exchange, which often times meant a life-for-a-life. Sacrificial offerings were thus means to bargain, appease, propitiate, and express gratitude.
The other part of the answer to the question about what offering were/are, comes from studying the evolution of beliefs and understanding of the relationships humans had with nature and other governing forces. The analysis of these lead to the understanding of how human sacrifices have been gradually abandoned, and how even animal sacrifices have become relatively rare[1] . Offerings of food have supplemented and in many cases replaced animal offerings for both economical and ethical reasons.
Stories tell about denizens of the Otherworld asking for their share, and human communities having no other choice but to comply. For example, An Dagda, god and king of fairies in Ireland, asks the human kings for a tribute of dairy and grains. Findings at Ard Mhacha in Northern Ireland show that offerings had a sacrificial character. People gave portions of highly valuable resources, and from later texts we learn that sacrificial items were of premium quality: best animals, best dairy, best grains and/or baked good, votive items, etc. In modern times, the custom of making offerings is encountered across various religions in conjunction with honoring the ancestors[2]. Pagans, usually[3], offer or sacrifice to the deities and spirit allies to whom they feel connected.
Since this is not a generic post on paganism, and these pages are centered on a fairy-based spiritual path, I shall explicitly connect the two, offerings and fairy allies.
I mentioned in previous posts that in many cultures the lines between fairies and gods are oftentimes blurred. Back to the example of An Dagda: in Irish lore he appears as a god of incredible power and skill, one of the chief deities in the Irish cultural pantheon, and the powerful king of fairies in Ireland. Macha herself is mentioned in the lore as goddess, warrior and sovereign[4], and woman of the fairy mounds. In Norse mythology, god Freyr or Fro Ing is connected to elves. In Romanian fairy traditions several fairy queens and kings are actually ancient deities who have been relegated to Fairy. This relegation doesn’t diminish their actual power, but it changes perception about their role and how they fit along various other beliefs. Whether gods, fairies, or ancestors, they, the denizens of the Otherworld, receive offering in various forms today, as they always did.
Fairy is not populated with fairy queens and kings only. Many medicine women and men receive their knowledge from fairy allies who may or may not hold special ranks. Fairy familiars[5], as the name implies, are very close to their human partner. They provide support and impart various kinds of knowledge. Offerings are made to them in sign of gratitude, but also to balance the ongoing exchange of energy.
Do offerings still make sense today?
Many among fairies are powerful entities who can and do intervene in people’s lives. Some among fairies are in many ways similar to people, with the added bonus of magical abilities. Some others, the Liminal Powers[6], are decisively more akin to gods, and connect to various aspects of nature. Big, powerful, and autonomous: do they really depend on the bit of food a human can offer? The answer is a multilayered one.
Firstly, they only take the vital substance from offerings, not the actual bulk of food. In making sacrifices on their temples’ altars, the priests of ancient Greece explained that the gods feast on the aroma, while the gathering of people feats on the flesh of the sacrificed animals. We, people, give out the energy coming from food offerings in exchange for help, which are all forms of energy. People may offer something to express gratitude for the partnership, or for the sheer joy of having those spirit allies as part of one’s life.
Second, corporeal or non-corporeal beings need to replenish energetically much in the same way as humans need to replenish their resources through eating, drinking, and sleeping. So sending energy in whatever form is appropriate and inviting the fairy allies to partake is the equivalent of us, people, being offered a snack. How could one not feel grateful to the friend or co-worker who cheerfully walks in with treats for everyone in the office? It is not just the food or the coffee that is being brought, but the very gesture of bringing those in that count.
Thirdly, even when offerings may not be explicitly needed, still doesn’t mean they are not appreciated. Think of a friend who comes in to visit with you. It is a fundamental rule of hospitality to offer something: a cup of tea, a bite of food, a glass of water, just anything that would signal the visitor that their presence is welcomed. It shows good manners. It is also a statement about your desire to maybe have them coming over more often. Now extend this to the fairy allies that you have as partners or teachers. Does this need any further explanation? Why would anyone, fairies of humans, feel drawn toward you if you consistently neglect basic rules of hospitality and act entitled, as if they owe you anything? Don’t be surprised that you get a cold shoulder next time when, in dire straits, you call on them.
Fourth, the practice of making offerings also works for one’s own benefit. In offering food, the conscious mind acknowledges them, the fairies, as being not only real, but also endowed with agency and power to intervene and help. This in turn reinforces their reality in the subconscious mind, and each time assistance is needed the energy put into manifestation work or healing is more focused. The doubt surrounding fairies’ corporeality, agency, and power dilutes the intensity of someone’s intent and its corresponding energetic charge. Through eliminating this doubt, one can focus the energy with maximum strength and precision on whatever they seek to accomplish. A fairy ally who enjoys food has a degree a reality to it and it is therefore easier to trust they are present. In short, making offerings adds more substance to fairy partnerships.
Offering: hot drink and study time. Art credit Melissa Munez, 2022, pexels.com
What qualifies as an appropriate offering?
We see that offerings do have a sacrificial character in that people don’t give what they don’t need, have a surplus of, or things they’d rather want to get rid of. Whatever people have offered traditionally to fairies are goods of value, items that are typically destined to sustaining life, protect life, or enhance the quality of life. As such, offerings could be food that is fresh and prepared especially for the occasion, but any food that one would enjoy is suited for fairy allies, too. In cultures across Europe, milk and dairy along with baked goods are staple items. I found out from other people’s experience as well as my own that fairies appreciate fresh fruits, fresh water, and at most of them wont turn down a sip of beer, wine, or whisky. Aside from foods, personal creations and significant actions make great offerings. One can offer them a song, a poem, or a ritual dance to be performed exclusively for the fairy allies. One may be tasked with work to complete on fairies' behalf such as taking care of a piece of land, planting something, volunteering at an animal shelter or wildlife rescue, learning various skills, study the fairy lore of a specific culture, etc. Offerings can take many forms, but they have one common denominator: life-sustaining items and valuable service have replaced that life which was once laid down directly in form of ritual sacrifice. It feels to me a much better solution, and more viable one too, no pun intended.
If you leave food and drinking offerings outside, make sure that whatever it is, it doesn’t harm local fauna. Do not pour alcohol on or near herbs because it will damage them. At sacred sites, DO NOT pour anything on stones, and DO NOT leave food offerings on the premises. Present the offerings during ceremony or ritual, but then take them away and dispose appropriately. I am not going into the details of how exactly to make offerings, because various traditions follow slightly different approaches.
Don’t offer anything that you would not eat such as spoiled food, or leftovers that you plan to throw away. If you are a guest in someone’s house, how would you like to be treated? Or imagine that you have your favorite person in the entire world dropping by: how would you show your joy and gratitude for their visit? Certainly not by pouring out for them spoiled drinks in dirty glasses.
Conclusion
Making offerings as part of modern spiritual practice is anything but a relic. Same as thousands of years ago, offerings are means to strengthen the connection with spirit allies, in this case, fairies. The act of inviting them to partake of that which we want to share adds yet another layer to the personal connection and bridges the gap between our world and the Other. It is a way to show gratitude and sheer joy for their presence in our life. After all, aren’t fairies the reason for us to be on this path?
[1] Not as often as they were in the historical past, animal sacrifices are still part of reality. Whether it has survived in form of the Christian custom of pig slaughtering around Christmas or lamb slaughtering for Easter, the black rooster or hen killed on Michaelmas or in Voodoo rituals, the practice of animal sacrifice is still alive.
[2] Dumb supper on Samhain in Ireland, the feast of Rusalii in Romania, and around Yule in Norse traditions.
[3] I am aware of many Pagan traditions who honor deities and spirit guide with offerings, but I cannot speak for all Pagans of all traditions, because many of these are outside my knowledge and expertise.
[4] In this hypostasis Macha fulfills the social attributes of a king, not those of a queen. For more details of gender stereotypes in Irish history see “Uncovering Ireland’s Secret History” with Dr. Gillian Kenny at https://irishpaganschool.com/p/queer-history
[5] Fairy guides who have become very close to the human partner in a relationship that is long term and involves a high level of commitment.
[6] The post “Liminal Powers: Fairy Gods and Gods of Fairy” coming up next.
